[NMLUG] Re: Better than Knoppix

[Steve Milo]

On Thu, 1 Jan 2004, NeoSadist wrote:

> >> Nvidia proprietary (but free) driver, and a LOT of us - and probably a
> >> lot of Gateways - have Nvidia video cards. The XFree-provided "nv"
> >No disagreement here.  However, I always had a problem with nVidia's
> >proprietary drivers.  Free or not.  They violate the spirit of the Open
> >Source agreements (in my opinion).  Furthermore, for reasons of
> >practicality, I didn't want to be downloading drivers when I had kernel
> >updates or new OS releases.
>
> WHAT?!  They don't violate the spirit of the Open Souce movement for
> several reasons:
>
> 1) They're not really open source to begin with (DUH, they're binaries).
> So your statement already makes no sense and is invalid.  Sorry, but
> that comment offended me.

They violate open source because they want to take part in the open source
community without actually contributing to its advancement (in the long
run which will help their success.  History has shown this to be true).

> 2) nVidia is putting out the driver to support Linux, so you should be
> at least a little more grateful.

They should be alot more grateful that they have an environment where they
can compete freely.

> 3) nVidia won't put out the source code for fear of someone gaining
> knowledge of trade secrets regarding their hardware.  I don't blame
> them.  If the playing field of hardware were equal, then there'd be
> no reason to compete with each other.

I think its more the possibility that the video card makers are afraid of
finding out that theyre stepping on one anothers patents.

> I'm not against binaries for drivers.  Also, in my opinion, you can use
> the open source generic nvidia drivers if you want. But anyways, I
> have no problem with binary drivers, so long as if they want them
> formally included with the kernel, that they provide the following:
>
> 1) Linus Torvaldes with the source code (for his eyes only)
> 2) A team of at least two dedicated programmers for the modules
> to work with and under the supervision of Linus.
>
> But the kernel belongs to Linus, and you should read his opinion
> on this subject.  You might find it interesting.

No the kernel does *not* belong to Linus!.  The kernel is public domain,
people from around the world have contributed to its success and
advancement.  Once he released the code to the public it became public.

His opinions actually matter very little, if his opinion mattered as much
as everyone thinks it does Linux wouldnt be where it is today.  The reason
that GNU/Linux has made the strides it has is because the opinions of more
than one person has been observed.A

Steve M

> --
> " ... and are endowed by their CREATOR
> with certain unalienable rights ... "
> -- Thomas Jefferson
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